Joel Lamy

A father and son who are well-known for their generosity to good causes have stepped in to help a family needing support for their autistic child.

When Chris and Lee Groome heard that six-year-old Blake Bloodworth, who cannot walk or sit unaided, needed a new specialist car seat they did not hesitate to write a cheque for £1,700 to his parents Janet and Christopher.

Brett and Chris Groome with Judith Harvey from the Salvation Army Citadel, Bourges Boulevard with the donation of toys and gifts from the Lee Groome Fund . EMN-140212-134614009

And the couple, who spent £2,000 themselves on a chair so Blake can sit with them when they eat, are thrilled by the Groomes’ generosity as they prepare for the car seat’s arrival sometime tomorrow.

Janet (41) of Lichfield Avenue, Werrington, said: “You feel bad for asking but the generosity is overwhelming. Chris said to ask if there’s anything he could do to help.”

The donation was made on behalf of the Lee Groome Fund which is run by Chris (66) and son Brett (34).

The fund was set up by Chris’ son Lee before his death from a rare form of cancer in 2000 when he was 24 and its aim is to help Peterborough people in need.

Janet and Christopher (40), have become used to their children needing medical attention after Blake’s twin brother Oliver was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma (cancer) when he was just eight weeks old.

Fortunately, a trial treatment helped Oliver pull through, but the month he was given the all-clear was the same month that his parents found out Blake was autistic.

Janet added: “When you’re dealt it you just get on.”

Janet used to go to the Newborough Riding School where Chris Groome’s wife Sandra worked, and Janet’s mum Valerie Buckingham went to Fletton Secondary Modern with Chris.

Chris said he was happy to help family friend Janet out.

He said: “They’ve had a rough old road. They’ve had some real bad luck with the health of the children and if we can help then we’re pleased to do it.

“She did not know how much it would cost but I said go order it.”

Chris and Brett have carried out numerous charity acts in Peterborough. Last year, they saved the city council at least £2,000 by offering to redecorate the Guildhall in Cathedral Square. And last Christmas they donated more than £1,000 worth of toys and food to the Salvation Army in Bourges Boulevard to help with their annual toy appeal.

Their next charitable work will see Brett take part in the 5km Santa in the City in London next month to help raise money for four-year-old Olive White who was born with one half of her body significantly smaller and weaker than the other.

Money is being raised to get Olive from Crowland, who has scoliosis (curvature of the spine) a trike so she can cycle like any other child.